At the time of the deployment, CTG-84.2 and Patron Bermuda were primarily conducting ASW operations against Soviet Union Yankee-class SSBNs in their Atlantic patrol box east of Bermuda. The ASWOCs in both NAF Lajes, Azores, Portugal and NAS Bermuda coordinated the ASW operations to ensure that patrol aircraft of the various squadrons were "on top" of the Soviet Union SSBNs constantly.

I was in Crew 6 and was in the initial NAF Lajes, Azores, Portugal echelon. One of the first things we did was to go to Praia and check on George the Crook to see if he sustained any damage from the earthquake that struck the island of Terceira several months earlier. The Cafe Azores was not damaged and George the Crook was fine.

During the deployment at NAF Lajes, Azores, Portugal, Crew 6 got some time off between flights that allowed us to check out island. We met an Air Force Sgt. Henry Carpenter who had a pickup truck and he took us on a tour of the island to survey the earthquake damage.

VP-64 History USAF Sgt. Henry Carpenter (driving) with AD1 Dave Fuchs and AO1 Pete McCaughley and the rest of us in the back.

VP-64 History Sr. Jose Teolonis de Azlvedo and His Extended Family - We rescued the grandfather (on crutches in the back) when his power cart broke down on the road far from his home. We took him and his cart home and his family showed their appreciation by serving us wine.

Later in May, the squadron received an additional assignment that required deployment of an aircraft and support personnel to NS Roosevelt Roads, PR. The NS Roosevelt Roads, PR detachment (with Crew 6) was given the task of providing support (sweeping operations) for the USS Nimitz task group. The task group was returning to the US after an extended deployment to the Persian Gulf after the abortive attempt to rescue the hostages the Iranians were holding after their capture of the US Embassy. Crew 6 and the VP-64 detachment flew directly to NS Roosevelt Roads, PR from NAF Lajes, Azores, Portugal.

We joined up with aircraft from VP-45, VP-62, and VP-93 to form "Patron Roosevelt Roads". Together, we provided continuous sweeping in advance of the task group as it made its way from the South Atlantic towards its home port of Norfolk, VA. With the four aircraft from the four different squadrons for the operation, we managed a lot of time off to enjoy Puerto Rico and beach and fishing/boating using equipment available at the base marina.

VP-64 History Roosevelt Roads Detachment Enjoying the Ambiance of the Enlisted Beach. Note AD1 Dave Fuchs Prominently in the Foreground.

VP-64 History Crew 6 Enjoyed a Day of Fishing and Swimming at Green Beach, Vieques.

After the USS Nimitz had finished transiting our area, we disbanded our detachment and returned to NAF Lajes, Azores, Portugal where we continued ASW operations until the end of our deployment. For Crew 6, it was one cruise, at three diverse places, and many interesting missions.

VP-64 History A Flyby by Crew 3 of the USS Nimitz Returning from the Persian Gulf - May 1980. Photo by AT1 Walt Eife.